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This marathon was very different than the last one...also, this post may bore you out of your pretty little head. Unless, of course, you like to run. Or you just like to hear about the misery/insanity of others (who like this ridiculous sport that can actually make your nipples bleed and make you poo your pants).
M1: Used FIRST training program (google it). INTENSE but very good.M2: Used Nike training program (google it too). Loved it and not as intense. More emphasis on stretching/yoga/strength training.
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M1: Trained for 18 weeks.
M2: Trained for 16 weeks.
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M1: Ran down Poudre Canyon. Beautiful.
M2: Ran down Provo Canyon. Beautiful with less steep downhill.
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M1: Vowed to run every stinking mile with running partner. Also did all long training runs with training partner (even 13 miles on the dreadmill).
M2: Vowed to run every mile with Shikay. Had one 18 mile run together.
M1: Caught bus at 4 am to top of canyon.M2: Caught bus at 3:30 am to top of canyon.
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M1: Carefully prepared outfit night before.
M2:Frantically searched Target night before for long sleeves to wear from expected downpour of rain at race.
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M1: Nervously wondered if I could finish--secretly hoped to finish in under 4 hours.
M2: Knew I could finish and looked forward to having fun while doing so!
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M1: Lost my running partner at mile 11. Communication error causes us to remain separated for remainder of race. I backtrack an entire mile looking for her. This adds TWO miles to my distance. That's right, I ran 28.2 miles.
M2: Ran every leg of marathon with Shikay. Wondered if she wanted to punch me or push me into the bushes because I like to talk too much.
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M1: Gripped by serious GI distress at mile 22. Not enough water and too many GUs.
M2: No GI distress!! Drank tons of water and no GUs for me. Only sport beans.
M1: Cried from mile 22-24 because I knew I had 2 extra miles to run.M2: Did not cry until crossing finish line.
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M1: Crossed finish line in 4:04. Cried because I had missed finishing under 4 because of those stupid 2 miles.
M2: Crossed in 4:50 after run/walking the last 5 miles with Shikay. Felt great. Never hit the wall!!
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M1: Did everything wrong in recovery period: collapsed on couch for 6 hours, took hot bath 2 hours after finish, did not drink enough water, did not drink Gatorade, did not eat enough.
M2: Kept moving after race. Walked around Target for an hour, stretched, stretched, stretched. Drank so much water I thought I would drown. Alternated with Gatorade. Ate carb/protein heavy frequent small meals. Started 'round the clock ibuprofen (for 3 days).
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M1: Thought I might never walk normally again for days afterwards.
M2: Went running again 3 days later.
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M1: Wanted to do another marathon immediately.
M2: Want to do another marathon. Fall maybe?
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So proud of and happy for Shikay. Marathons are hard core. Getting rained on for more than half of a marathon is way hard core. She rocked it.
